Insights into the pathogenesis of cystoid macular edema: leukostasis and related cytokines

ITF2357 regulates NF-κB signaling pathway to protect barrier integrity in retinal pigment epithelial cells

The robust integrity of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which contributes to the outer brain retina barrier (oBRB), is compromised in several retinal degenerative and vascular disorders, including diabetic macular edema (DME). This study evaluates the role of a new generation of histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), ITF2357, in regulating outer blood-retinal barrier function and investigates the underlying mechanism of action in inhibiting TNFα-induced damage to RPE integrity. Using the immortalized RPE cell line (ARPE-19), ITF2357 was found to be non-toxic between 50 nM and 5 μM concentrations. When applied as a pre-treatment in conjunction with an inflammatory cytokine, TNFα, the HDACi was safe and effective in preventing epithelial permeability by fortifying tight junction (ZO-1, -2, -3, occludin, claudin-1, -2, -3, -5, -19) and adherens junction (E-cadherin, Nectin-1) protein expression post-TNFα stress. Mechanistically, ITF2357 depicted a late action at 24 h via attenuating IKK, IκBα, and p65 phosphorylation and ameliorated the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1. Also, ITF2357 delayed IκBα synthesis and turnover. The use of Bay 11-7082 and MG132 further uncovered a possible role for ITF2357 in non-canonical NF-κB activation. Overall, this study revealed the protection effects of ITF2357 by regulating the turnover of tight and adherens junction proteins and modulating NF-κB signaling pathway in the presence of an inflammatory stressor, making it a potential therapeutic application for retinal vascular diseases such as DME with compromised outer blood-retinal barrier.

Vessel density on optical coherence tomography angiography is prognostic for future disease course in intermediate uveitis

As most rare diseases, intermediate uveitis lacks reliable endpoints necessary for randomized clinical trials. Therefore, we investigated longitudinal changes of retinal and choriocapillaris perfusion on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in intermediate uveitis and their prognostic value for future best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT). In this retrospective, longitudinal cohort study eyes of patients with intermediate uveitis were imaged by swept-source OCT-A (macula-centered 3 × 3 mm; PLEX Elite 9000, Zeiss) and stratified into clinically stable, worsened and improved based on changes in clinical parameters. Superficial (SRL) and deep retinal layers (DRL) were automatically analyzed for vessel density (VD) and choriocapillaris layer for non-perfused area (CCNPA) using ImageJ. Mixed-effects regression analysis controlling for age, sex, and OCT-A signal strength index (SSI) was used to evaluate the prognostic value of OCT-A parameters. 91 eyes (62 stable, 12 worsened, and 17 improved) were included in the analysis and mean follow-up time was 296 days. Longitudinal changes of VD were different between all three groups (p = 0.002 for SRL and p = 0.017 for DRL). Clinically worsened eyes showed a decrease in VD (- 0.032 ± 0.055 for SRL and - 0.027 ± 0.025 for DRL), whereas clinically improved eyes showed an increase in VD (0.037 ± 0.039 for SRL and 0.001 ± 0.023 for DRL). No difference was found for CCNPA. When controlling for age, sex, and SSI, observed differences held true in clinically worsened eyes for DRL (p = 0.011) and in clinically improved eyes for SRL (p = 0.002). An increase of CCNPA in clinically worsened eyes (p = 0.03) compared to clinically stable and improved eyes was evident. Predictive analysis revealed an association of VD in SRL and DRL at baseline with BCVA at follow-up (p = 0.039 and p = 0.047, respectively) and of VD in SRL at baseline with CRT at follow-up (p = 0.046). Alterations in retinal perfusion on OCT-A in intermediate uveitis are partly reversible and OCT-A VD may serve to predict future BCVA and CRT. Thus, perfusion parameters on OCT-A might aid monitoring and serve as prognostic imaging-biomarker.

Biomarkers determining treatment interval of diabetic macular edema after initial resolution by anti-vascular endothelial growth factor

PURPOSE

To identify predictive factors that help determine the interval of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection after the initial resolution of diabetic macular edema (DME).

METHODS

This retrospective case-control study enrolled treatment-naïve DME patients who had achieved DME resolution after intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Patients were classified into the recurrence and no-recurrence groups, depending on the development of recurrent DME after deferring intravitreal anti-VEGF injection. The demographics and clinical features, including optical coherence tomography findings, were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

We enrolled 105 eyes. Sixty eyes (57.1%) belonged to the no-recurrence group, and 45 (42.9%), belonged to the recurrence group. The severity of diabetic retinopathy at baseline was related to early DME recurrence (P = 0.009). At the treatment deferring point, the non-recurrence group had both thinner central subfield thickness (289.5 ± 27.2 μm vs. 307.0 ± 38.2 μm, P = 0.011) and thinner central retinal thickness (214.9 ± 41.4 μm vs. 231.8 ± 41.2 μm, P = 0.043) compared to the recurrence group. Intraretinal cyst was observed in 34 eyes (56.7%) in the no-recurrence group and 42 eyes (93.3%) in the recurrence group at the deferring point (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

A low risk of early DME recurrence is anticipated in the eyes with foveal thinning and no intraretinal cyst when anti-VEGF injection is deferred. These predictive biomarkers can be useful for patient monitoring and determining treatment strategies for DME patients.

Anterior chamber cytokine production and postoperative macular edema in patients with diabetes undergoing FLACS

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and manual cataract surgery (MCS) on proinflammatory cytokine expression in patients with diabetes vs nondiabetic patients.

SETTING

Outpatient surgical center in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

METHODS

Patients with diabetes and nondiabetic patients undergoing noncomplicated MCS or FLACS were assigned into 4 cohorts: MCS nondiabetic (n = 30), FLACS nondiabetic (n = 42), MCS diabetic (n = 40), and FLACS diabetic (n = 40). Aqueous humor inflammatory mediator concentrations were evaluated at MCS onset and after femtosecond laser treatment. The presence of cystoid macular edema, anterior chamber (AC) inflammation, central retinal thickness, macular volume, and retinal microvascular changes (through optical coherence tomography angiography) were evaluated preoperatively and on postoperative day 1, week 1, month 1 (POM1), and month 3 (POM3).

RESULTS

Patients with diabetes receiving FLACS had a higher concentration of interleukin (IL)-7, IL-13, and interferon-induced protein-10 than MCS diabetic patients; they also demonstrated higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and lower levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and IFN-α2 compared with MCS nondiabetic patients. Macular volume appeared to be significantly higher in MCS diabetic vs MCS non-diabetic patients at POM1 and between FLACS diabetic vs FLACS nondiabetic patients at POM3. There were no other significant differences between the cohorts for any parameter.

CONCLUSIONS

FLACS use in patients with diabetes demonstrated some differences in AC cytokine expression compared with non-diabetic FLACS or diabetic patients undergoing MCS; however, there was no increase in clinical inflammatory biomarkers. FLACS seems to be a safe technique to use in patients with diabetes.

Outer Retinal Hyperreflective Dots: A Potential Imaging Biomarker in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

PURPOSE

To investigate hyperreflective dots (HRDs) on baseline OCT in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS

Consecutive primary fovea-off RRDs presenting between January 2012 and September 2022.

METHODS

Visual acuity (VA) was obtained at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Baseline foveal OCT scans were graded for the presence of HRDs in the outer retina, morphologic stage of RRD in the parafovea, and foveal photoreceptor integrity (intact, patchy or complete loss of the bacillary layer). Epiretinal membrane (ERM) and cystoid macular edema (CME) were graded after surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the proportion of patients in each morphologic stage with HRDs present on OCT and their association with postoperative VA. Secondary outcomes included association with the height of foveal detachment, duration of central vision loss, RRD extent, and development of ERM/CME.

RESULTS

A total of 351 patients were included. The presence of HRDs by morphologic stage of RRD was 0% in stage 1, 4.5% (2/42) in stage 2, 13% (7/54) in stage 3a, 16% (20/126) in stage 3b, 48% (40/83) in stage 4, and 85% (35/41) in stage 5. Hyperreflective dots were associated with increasing stage of RRD (P < 0.001), reduced integrity of foveal photoreceptors (P < 0.001), and reduced postoperative VA at 3, 6, and 12 months (P < 0.001), after excluding visually significant cataracts and adjusting for covariates. There was also a significant association between HRDs and height of foveal detachment, duration of central vision loss, and RRD extent (P < 0.001). Hyperreflective dots were neither associated with postoperative ERM formation nor with its severity (P = 0.27). Nevertheless, they were associated with the occurrence of CME at 3 and 6 months after surgery (P = 0.01; P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperreflective dots have been hypothesized to consist of intraretinal inflammatory cells. We found that HRDs were significantly associated with the morphologic stage, extent, duration, and height of the RRD before surgery and with reduced VA and CME after surgery. Our results suggest that HRDs are associated with photoreceptor degeneration, as longstanding and extensive RRDs are more likely to present with HRDs. The association of HRDs with CME provides insight into the possible importance of inflammatory processes in RRD before and after surgery.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Local ocular factors associated with the development of diabetic macular edema: an inter-eye study

To investigate local ocular factors associated with the development of diabetic macular edema (DME), we classified each eye of patients with unilateral DME as the DME eyes or the fellow eyes (without DME). We compared the clinical characteristics, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography (OCTA), ultra-wide field fundus photography, and angiography features of each eye. As a result, fifty-five patients with unilateral DME were enrolled. Although the diabetic retinopathy stage was not different between each group of eyes, DME eyes showed a higher prevalence of venous beading and a larger area of nonperfusion region than did fellow eyes (all P < 0.05). OCTA features of DME eyes also showed a larger foveal avascular zone in the deep capillary plexus and a lower vascular density in both the superficial and deep capillary plexuses (all P < 0.05). This study highlighted ocular features reflecting retinal ischemia, such as venous beading, area of nonperfusion region, and vascular density in the central retinal area, are associated with the development of DME. OCTA and ultra-wide field fluorescein angiography may be useful for evaluating the parameters of retinal ischemia and the risk of DME development.

Oral minocycline for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa-associated cystoid macular edema: results of a phase I/II clinical trial

PURPOSE

The etiology of retinitis pigmentosa (RP)-associated cystoid macular edema (CME) has been related to retinal neuroinflammation and microglial activation. Minocycline, a drug FDA-approved for anti-microbial indications, also inhibits microglial activation and expression of inflammatory mediators. This study investigates the safety and efficacy of oral minocycline as primary treatment for RP-associated CME.

METHODS

A single-center, prospective, open-label phase I/II clinical trial enrolled five participants with RP-associated CME. Participants had lead-in assessments prior to the initiation of oral minocycline 100 mg twice daily for 12 months. Main outcome variables included changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and retinal central subfield thickness (CST) measured using spectral domain optical coherence tomography relative to mean of pre-treatment measurements.

RESULTS

The study drug was well tolerated and not associated with any severe adverse events. No significant changes in mean BCVA from study baseline were noted in either the study eye (+ 0.7 ± 4.1 letters at 6 months, - 1.1 ± 1.7 letters at 12 months) or the qualifying fellow eye (- 0.3 ± 3.4 letters at 6 months, - 0.3 ± 4.6 letters at 12 months) (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Mean percentage changes in CST from baseline however decreased progressively with treatment (decreases at 6 and 12 months: study eyes 3.9 and 9.8%; qualifying fellow eyes 1.4 and 7.7%). Considering all eyes (n = 10), mean percentage CST decrease at 6 and 12 months was 2.7 ± 9.5% (p = 0.39) and 8.7 ± 9.5% (p = 0.02) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Oral minocycline administration over 12 months was associated with no significant changes in mean BCVA and a small but progressive decrease in mean CST.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02140164 (05/2014).

Novel pharmaceuticals for the management of retinal vein occlusion and linked disorders

INTRODUCTION

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the second leading cause of blindness from retinal vascular disease behind diabetic retinopathy. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and glucocorticoid therapy are the cornerstones of pharmaceutical treatment for RVO. There is considerable interest in developing new pharmaceuticals in and out of these two classes to reduce costs, lower injection burden, and treat the occlusion itself, rather than the complications.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we discuss novel pharmaceuticals for the treatment of RVO outside of current standard of care. We performed a comprehensive literature search encompassing pharmaceuticals that have recently been approved or have shown promising results in early clinical trials or animal models.

EXPERT OPINION

Anti-VEGF therapy remains the most efficacious treatment for RVO with a very favorable side effect profile. New biosimilars reduce costs while maintaining efficacy. Novel glucocorticoids may be a useful therapy in patients for whom anti-VEGF therapy has failed, or as an adjunct. Pharmaceuticals in other drug classes, particularly those with neuroprotective or regenerative properties, as well as those geared toward treating the occlusion itself, represent exciting options for early RVO therapy, but are likely years away from clinical relevance.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiographic Evaluation of Macular Vessel Density in Diabetic Macular Edema After Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implants: A Prospective Interventional Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to assess macular vascular density evolution, macular thickness, and functional outcomes after intravitreal dexamethasone implants for diabetic macular edema.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Vascular density was evaluated with optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography in 21 eyes. Macular thickness was evaluated with structural OCT. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were evaluated before and after treatment, and these functional outcomes were analyzed for association with anatomic outcomes. Macular vessel density in the superficial capillary plexus was evaluated with OCT angiography and quantified in areas with no fluid, allowing a more accurate measurement and eliminating the segmentation bias in areas with intra-retinal fluid. Such a methodology was possible by positioning the scans only in areas with no fluid before and after the implant. The absence of fluid in these areas was confirmed by three experienced evaluators using both the B-scan and the en face. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were evaluated before and after treatment, and these functional outcomes were analyzed for association with anatomic outcomes.

RESULTS

At 30, 60, and 90 days after implantation, there was improvement in macular perfusion in areas without fluid after intravitreal dexamethasone implantation, accompanied by reduced macular thickness and improved visual acuity (P < .001). However, there was no improvement in contrast sensitivity after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Improved macular perfusion after treatment with intravitreal dexamethasone implantation may be associated with modulation of leukostasis, when the release of cytokines leads to capillary endothelial damage and obstruction of the micro-vasculature, leading to impaired capillary perfusion and ischemic damage. Despite the anatomical and functional findings demonstrated, further studies are needed to prove the relationship between the inflammatory mechanisms of diabetic macular edema and its relationship with macular perfusion and functional aspects. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54(3):174-182.].

Bilateral Cystoid Macular Edema with Zanubrutinib Therapy: A Case Report

We present a patient with recurrent mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who was treated with zanubrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor. He subsequently developed bilateral cystoid macular edema (CME) in both eyes. This is the first report of CME in a patient with MCL who was treated with zanubrutinib. CME was refractory to topical corticosteroid therapy, but sub-Tenon's steroid injections and holding off zanubrutinib managed to decrease the CME. Treatment managed to prevent further vision loss but did not restore lost vision. The prompt ophthalmic exam is recommended for patients on zanubrutinib with decreased vision.

Microvascular changes in the recurrent cystoid macular edema secondary to posterior noninfectious uveitis on optical coherence tomography angiography

Background

Posterior uveitis represents the second most frequent type of uveitis (15–30% of all uveitis). Noninfectious posterior uveitis complicated with secondary cystoid macular edema (CME) affects the visual prognosis negatively. The objective of the current study is to detect possible microvascular changes causing relapsing uveitis-related CME using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods

This is an interventional, observational, retrospective study with 1 year follow-up. Patients with noninfectious, posterior uveitis-related CME undergoing dexamethasone (DEX) implant were evaluated. Following the DEX-implant were carried out control visits after 1 month, 2-months, 4-months, 6-months, and for up 1-year. A total of 76 eyes of 38 consecutive patients with noninfectious posterior uveitis were enrolled (consecutive sample). Complicated noninfectious posterior uveitis with secondary CME was diagnosed in 56 eyes of uveitis patients (73.7%) and reviewed.

Results

Our investigation showed (1) a reduction in superficial vessel plexus (SVP) measurements within 2-month (84%), reaching 96.4% for up 1-year, (2) an irregular profile of SVP in 69.6% of cases, persisting for up 1-year; relapsing uveitis-related CME eyes with irregular superficial foveal avascular zone (FAZ) profile were in 51%, while the SVP measurements reestablished in 100% of cases. Conversely, (3) the deep vascular plexus (DVP) parameters restored in a lower number of eyes within the 2-month (39.3%), remaining abnormal in 46.4% of cases for up 1-year; despite DVP restored in 53.6% of cases for up 1 year, (4) a capillary rarefaction ring around the FAZ appeared in 80.4% of cases; the relapsing uveitis-related CME eyes with abnormal DVP parameters were present in 41% of cases, of which 92.1% showed a rarefaction ring had abnormal DVP.

Conclusions

The use of OCTA enabled the evaluation in detail of retinal microvascular changes. We suggested that the possibility of the recurrence of the uveitis-related CME depends on the persistence of modifications of the superficial and deep layers. In this regard, we propose to implement the current imaging armamentarium with OCTA for the follow-up of patients with noninfectious uveitis-related CME.

An en face swept source optical coherence tomography study of the vitreous in eyes with anterior uveitis

PURPOSE

To analyse vitreous anatomy patients with anterior uveitis (AU) using swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).

METHODS

Patients with newly diagnosed AU and healthy participants were scanned using 16-mm SS-OCT B-scans and 12 × 12 mm cube centred at the fovea. Linear SS-OCT scans were evaluated to identify the premacular bursa (PB) above the macula and the Cloquet's canal above the optic disc. A dynamic evaluation of the 12 × 12 mm cube enabled en face measurement of the vertical and horizontal diameters of the PB and the presence/absence of communication between the PB and Cloquet's canal.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-five subjects were included in the study. Forty-five patients were healthy (mean age 33.47 years). En face measurements of the horizontal and vertical PB mean diameters were 5.2 mm and 4.7 mm. In 90 subjects with AU (mean age 30.10 years), the mean horizontal and vertical diameter of the PB were significantly larger (p < 0.01). Thirty-seven eyes with AU presented with cystoid macular oedema (CME). The mean diameters of the PB in this subgroup were significantly larger (p < 0.01). In 75% of the entire cohort (51% of eyes in the control group, 87% of eyes with AU and 100% of eyes with AU and CME), a channel connecting the PB and Cloquet's canal could be identified.

CONCLUSIONS

SS-OCT identification of a connecting channel between the PB and the Cloquet's canal suggests that inflammatory cytokines may drain from the anterior chamber through this system of channels, thus increasing the risk of CME.

Effect of Extended Release Steroid Implants on the Contralateral Eye

Purpose

To investigate the contralateral effect of extended release steroid implants on cystoid macular edema (CME).

Methods

Retrospective study of patients with bilateral CME receiving intravitreal injections of long-acting intravitreal corticosteroid implants in one eye. Changes in CME and central subfield thickness (CST) in the contralateral eye on optical coherence tomography (OCT) were compared to an untreated control group. The main outcome measures were the change in central subfield thickness (CST) and the change in the macular volume.

Results

Thirteen study patients and 14 controls were included in the study. There was no difference in the baseline LogMAR visual acuity (0.32 ± 0.35 vs 0.43 ± 0.26, p = 0.37) or the baseline central subfield thickness (341.4 ± 76.6 vs 296.5 ± 65.0 µm, p = 0.12) between groups. In the treatment group CST remained stable in 92.3% of the patients. Of the controls, CST worsened in 21.4% and remained stable in 78.6%. The mean change in CST (6.3 ± 30.3 vs. 27.5 ± 66.1 µm, p = 0.2) and the mean change in macular volume (0.08 ± 0.34 vs. -0.05 ± 0.21 mm³, P = 0.8) were not statistically different between the treatment group and control group. In the post-hoc analysis restricting the treatment group to patients who had not received intravitreal injections in the study eye within 6 months, CST decrement was not statistically significant (p = 0.11).

Conclusion

In this study there was no statistically significant effect on CME of contralateral intravitreal corticosteroid implants.

Treatment responses for branch retinal vein occlusion predicted by semi-automated fluorescein angiography quantification

Backgrounds

Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is one of the most important causes of visual loss in retinal vascular diseases. The aim of this study is to predict the treatment response of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy in BRVO using semi-automated quantified fluorescein angiography (FA) features.

Methods

This retrospective case-control study enrolled patients with BRVO who are receiving anti-VEGF therapy and have been followed up for > 1 year. Those receiving < 5 anti-VEGF injections in the first year were classified as the responsive group, while those receiving ≥5 injections were the refractory group. The FA images were subjected to semi-automated pre-processing. Fluorescein leakages at the 5-min image were represented by mean gray value over parafoveal and perifoveal regions. FA leakages and central retinal thickness (CRT) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) were used for predicting the treatment response and compared using area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

Eighty-nine patients (56 males, 33 females, mean age 62.5 ± 10.9 years) with BRVO were enrolled. Of the 89 eyes, 47 (53%) were in the responsive group and 42 (47%) were in the refractory group. The refractory group had a significantly higher number of anti-VEGF injections in the first year (5.9 ± 1.6 versus 2.4 ± 1.2, p < 0.001) when compared with that of the responsive group. It had thicker pre-treatment CRT (p = 0.011), post-treatment best CRT (p < 0.001) and CRT at 1-year (p < 0.001). It also had a higher mean gray value over the parafoveal (p < 0.001) and the perifoveal (p < 0.001) regions. The mean gray value over perifoveal (AUC 0.846) and parafovel (AUC 0.818) had significantly larger AUC than that of the pre-treatment OCT (AUC 0.653; p = 0.005 and p = 0.016, respectively) when predicting treatment response.

Conclusion

The refractory group had a more severe fluorescein leakage over the parafoveal and the perifoveal regions than the responsive group had. Semi-automated quantified FA leakage can be used as a biomarker for the prediction of anti-VEGF treatment response in macular edema due to BRVO.

Hyperreflective Foci and Subretinal Fluid Are Potential Imaging Biomarkers to Evaluate Anti-VEGF Effect in Diabetic Macular Edema

Purpose: The aim was to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) in diabetic macular edema (DME) by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: Twenty-five eyes in 18 treatment-naïve patients with DME were included. All eyes were imaged by OCTA at baseline and 1 week after monthly intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI). Visual acuity was measured as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Additional parameters were evaluated by OCTA, including central macular thickness (CMT), the number of hyperreflective foci (HRF), foveal avascular zone (FAZ), vessel density (VD) in the deep capillary plexus (DCP), the en-face area of cystoid edema in DCP segmentation, and subretinal fluid (SRF) height. Results: The mean time between baseline and final follow-up by OCTA was 79.24 ± 38.15 (range, 28-163) days. Compared with baseline, BCVA was increased significantly after the 3rd IAI, while CMT was decreased significantly from the 1st IAI. SRF height and the area of cystoid edema in DCP segmentation were decreased significantly after the 2nd IAI compared with baseline. The number of HRF was decreased significantly after the 1st IAI (8.87 ± 9.38) compared with baseline (11.22 ± 10.63). However, FAZ's area and perimeter as well as VD in DCP showed no significant changes post-treatment. Conclusion: Anti-VEGF is effective in treating DME, improving visual acuity and decreasing macular edema. The decreased HRF indicates anti-inflammatory effects of aflibercept to deactivate retinal microglia/macrophages. The decreased cystoid edema and SRF height indicated improved drainage function of Müller glial cells and retinal pigment epithelium after IAI.

Evaluation of morphological characteristics of diabetic macular edema in patients with non-proliferative versus proliferative diabetic retinopathy: a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the morphological characteristics in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), either with co-existent non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or with PDR.

METHODS

Retrospective study includes 138 treatment naïve patients with DME, either with NPDR (n = 96) or in combination with PDR (n = 42). All patients underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and fluorescein angiography, while demographic characteristics were also recorded. Specific clinical and morphological characteristics were analyzed and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Patients with DME and PDR presented higher central retinal thickness and mixed type of edema, with predominantly cystoid component and large cysts, extending in the foveal, peri- and para-foveal area, compared to patients with DME and NPDR. The presence of non-perfusion areas in patients with DME and PDR led to additional ellipsoid zone and external limiting membrane disruption in a higher percentage, accompanied with worse visual acuity compared to patients with DME and NPDR. Patients with DME and PDR had also higher vitreomacular traction percentage and higher HbA1c levels than those with DME and NPDR.

CONCLUSION

Variations in morphological characteristics of DME on SD-OCT existed between patients with NPDR and those with PDR. These differences may explain the alterations in visual acuity and prognosis.

A dynamic nomogram for predicting diabetic macular edema in type 2 diabetes patients based on plasma cytokines

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated changes of plasma cytokines and aimed to build a dynamic nomogram for diabetic macular edema (DME) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

In a pilot cohort, plasma samples were selected from 9 T2DM patients and 9 DME patients to screen for cytokine differences. The screening cytokines were then validated by enzyme-linked immunoassay in a cohort, which contained 100 DME (DME group) and 100 T2DM patients without DME (T2DM group). A dynamic nomogram for predicting DME was developed, based on the plasma cytokines.

RESULTS

In the pilot cohort, 11 plasma cytokines were significantly increased in the DME group. In the validation cohort, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, angiopoietin (ANG-1), and vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2 were confirmed to be significantly elevated in the DME group. The dynamic nomogram demonstrated good calibration and discrimination, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.88. In the test set, sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 73.3%, 80.0%, and 0.84, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Plasma cytokines were closely associated with DME. A novel dynamic monogram including ANG-1, PDGF-BB, TIMP-1, and VEGFR2 was a novel tool for predicting DME.

Multimodal imaging and genetic findings in a case of ARSG-related atypical Usher syndrome

Background: Atypical Usher syndrome has recently been associated with arylsulfatase G (ARSG) variants. In these cases, characteristic findings include progressive sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) without vestibular involvement and ring-shaped late-onset retinitis pigmentosa (RP).Materials and Methods: One patient with atypical Usher syndrome and a novel homozygous ARSG variant was included in this study. The patient underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including multimodal imaging and genetic testing.Results: A 60-year-old male of Persian decent presented to our clinic with a history of 20 years of progressive SNHL, and 10 years of progressive peripheral vision loss and pigmentary retinopathy. Consistent with previous reports of ARSG-related atypical Usher syndrome, fundus examination revealed ring-shaped retinal hyperpigmentation and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) demonstrated a six-zone pattern of autofluorescence. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed extensive cystoid spaces concentrated in the ganglion cell layer. Widefield OCT angiography at the level of the choriocapillaris showed signs of atrophy that corresponded to the FAF hypofluorescent zone. The patient was homozygous for a novel ARSG variant c. 1270 C > T, p. Arg424Cys.Conclusion: We report a novel ARSG variant in a case of atypical Usher syndrome and describe multimodal imaging findings that further characterize the effect of ARSG in the pathogenesis of atypical Usher syndrome.